SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) -- The San Francisco Planning Department has approved plans to demolish the Marina Safeway to build a multi-use development featuring an 848-unit apartment building and a larger grocery store. The approval has left neighborhood residents divided over the proposed project.
The project, developed by Align Real Estate, includes a 22-story building with 848 housing units, 86 of which will be designated for low-income residents.
A 22,000-square-foot Safeway will occupy the ground level. Align Real Estate obtained streamlined approval through California's AB 2011 housing law, which allows eligible projects to skip public hearings and environmental review processes.
In a statement, developer Align Real Estate welcomed the planning department's approval.
“This approval brings us one step closer to welcoming new families to a neighborhood that has seen far too little housing development, while delivering a modern grocery store for the entire community,” the developer stated.
Some residents expressed support for the addition of new housing.
Resident James Dillon noted that while the project will not solve the housing crisis, “its good for the marketplace.. So in all..I am in support of it.”
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A look at the Safeway in SF's Marina District. (Photo: KRON4)
Other residents expressed strong opposition regarding the building's scale, lost views and potential hazards.
Resident Katherine Winn said, “It is going to be an eyesore.”
Resident Tanner Rich voiced concern over lost views from nearby homes. “We live directly behind this and it will destroy our view...” Rich said.
Resident Jay Fisher raised concerns about traffic and underground conditions, saying, “It's going to cause traffic disruption.. Toxins are known to be underground here...”
The project is currently facing a federal lawsuit filed by residents raising concerns about possible environmental contamination.
The developer still must obtain demolition and excavation permits before work can begin. A construction start date has not been released.
All facts in this report were gathered by journalists employed by KRON4. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information into a news article for our website. This report was edited and fact-checked by KRON4 staff before being published.
